I hope you are doing well. We're a sixth of the way through!! (Wow. That got here fast.). The difficulty of these early weeks are why a lot of people don't read through the Bible in a year. If you've fallen behind (I have a couple times), just pick yourself up and join in on the current date. Don't let a few missed days keep you away.
March is a big transition month for us daily readers. We slog through the last of the repetition of all the laws, festivals, holy days, etc. Then, we're back on the actual history. We see the death of Moses (and why he died before entering the Promised Land), the selection of Joshua as Leader, the crossing of the Jordan (finally!) into the Land, the attack on Jericho, our first psalm, and we begin the period of the Judges. WHEW!
So, buckle up.
A month from now, we'll be deep into the history of Jacobs's descendants as they settle in to the Promised Land ... and, of course, muck it up.
Blessings,
Steve
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We are reading The One Year Chronological Bible (New Living Translation). The best way is with your own copy of this Bible translation. Or, copy and paste this link to the daily reading schedule:
http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/readingplan/oneyearchronologicalbiblereadingplan.pdf
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THIS WEEK
1. The Book of Numbers is named that because it records when the Israelites were counted. Each census counted a different group for a different purpose. Except for two pages, this whole week of reading is in Numbers.
2. Purity is a key lesson God wants the Israelites to learn. Worth a quick re-read. (Numbers chapter 5; Feb 28)
3. The Nazarite Vow was a special way of setting oneself apart for The Lord. Parts of this become important to us when we get to the story of Samson in early April (Numbers chapter 6; March 1) and, much later, John the Baptist.
4. “Be careful what you ask for” is clearly on display in Numbers chapter 11; March 2. Blessedly, we have a different relationship with God than this fledgling nation. (X-ref Psalm 58)
5. Twelve scouts are sent into the Promised Land. Only two of them, Joshua and Caleb, recommend entering the Land (Remember these two men, more coming about them). One of my favorite Bible verses is in this week's reading (March 3rd, Numbers 14:9). In my current version Joshua and Caleb say, "... don't be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us!" But in the original language, the second sentence reads (say it fiercely), "They will be our bread!" In other words, "We're gonna eat them for lunch!"
6. Korah's rebellion and the budding of Aaron's staff are important because these two events settle, for all time, that Aaron's descendants will be the Priesthood, the ones who may enter the Holy of Holies. (Numbers chapters 16 & 17; March 4)
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Q: The question I received is about the blood on the garments of the priests. How did l they washed them since blood is difficult to clean?! The animals were killed very often and the blood was heavy. Is this not literal?
A: Being clean is a key practice God wants the Israelites to adopt. No doubt people had already learned that blood could be washed out with cool water if addressed soon enough. Certainly, the Egyptians knew this. No reason to believe the Israelites would not know.
Still, hygiene and ritual cleansing are new to them, so the commands are repeated often. Below is a link to some related scriptures. I think that’s the best I can do for you. Unfortunately, I don’t see anything about what cleansing agents were used ... Hyssop, maybe? Write in if you have any insights on this. I’ll share it with the group.
In Leviticus 6:27, we see a direct reference to the need to clean the priestly garments. Also Exodus 40:30-32. For a selection of verses on this topic, link to here: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Ritual-Washing
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